Retail has always been competitive, and since 2020, this competition has only been amplified. But what’s the best way to stand out from the crowd? How do you convince passers-by that your retail store is the one shop they cannot miss? Well, there’s one sure-fire way retail shop owners can do this: install switchable glass.
Switchable glass, also known as smart glass or privacy glass, is a technologically advanced glass that can transform from opaque cloudy to completely transparent glass with the flick of a switch. When the glass is switched ‘ON’, the glass is clear. When the switch is ‘OFF’, the glass is opaque, providing full privacy. The smart glass can be installed as a wall, dividers, windows and pretty much anything else you can think of. In retail-specific circumstances, switchable glass can be the catalyst for drawing in customers and driving purchases. Read on to learn exactly how smart glass can be used for retail pop-ups and merchandising.
Smart glass for pop-ups
Car displays
Shoppers routinely see car displays in shopping centres. It is therefore critical that these car pop-up displays stand out and make a solid impression on passers-by. With switchable glass, you may opt to dim the glass surrounding the car to create a luxurious, eye-catching display. Alternatively, you may use your switchable glass purely for privacy purposes, choosing to revert the glass to completely opaque once you have closed your display for the day. This option is excellent for security purposes, especially when it comes to car displays, which risk being targeted by opportunists.
Fashion stores – changing rooms
What about pop-up fashion stores? Well, privacy glass is an excellent solution for pop-up clothing stores. Smart glass offers instant privacy at the flick of a switch. Whatsmore, privacy glass is far easier to clean than the dusty curtains commonly seen in fashion stores. When shoppers have exited the changing room, they can also revert the smart glass back to opaque before closing the smart glass door, so shop attendants and customers can see which changing rooms are empty. This clever application for smart glass can easily apply to permanent fashion stores as well.
Smart glass for merchandising
Shop display windows
Smart glass is increasingly used as a small portion of a shop display window or even the entire frontage of a shop display window. One obvious reason to install switchable glass is privacy. With switchable glass, retailers can choose to switch to opaque when redesigning the space, or they may just enable the privacy glass when locking up for security purposes.
Another more creative use of switchable glass is a projector screen that shop attendees can use as signage. With smart glass, retailers can project their latest deals and sales onto the glass in a highly attention-grabbing way. With smart glass shop displays, retailers can program customised text, images and videos that are far more interactive than stagnant, flat, traditional signage. In this age, where we are constantly vying for our audience’s attention, smart glass signage and displays are the preferred option. You may even get a little creative with your smart display glass – opting to dim the glass enough to showcase your merchandise, further engaging customers and drawing them into your space.
Display cabinets
Switchable glass can also be built into display cabinets, making for an attention-grabbing display. With smart glass display cabinets, retailers have increased control over how their products are seen by their customers. Smart glass allows retail attendees to strategically draw attention to specific products they are looking to promote at that particular time. Simultaneously, smart glass displays can be used to hide products that stores want to divert attention away from.
Even better, switchable glass displays allow retailers and visual merchandisers to modify their designs with ease and flexibility. Throughout the promotion period, staff can easily modify the display to showcase the products that need to be given the greatest platform at that specific time.
Stand out in retail with Polyvision Switchable Glass
Installing switchable privacy glass is one of the easiest ways to stand out from the crowd in the always competitive world of retail. At Polytron, our Polyvision switchable glass is routinely installed in permanent retail stores and also pop-up retail stores. Our customers love how Polyvision allows them to create show-stopping displays that draw customers in and drive retail sales. If you’d like to inquire about how Polyvision can elevate your retail store experience, be sure to contact our friendly team today.
